MONTGOMERY — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is forcing the state to do something it’s “not really supposed to do” by forcing the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) to provide septic and wastewater infrastructure in Lowndes County, according to House Pro Tempore Chris Pringle (R-Mobile).
In November 2021, the DOJ and federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a civil rights investigation into the ADPH’s enforcement of sanitation laws in Lowndes County.
The DOJ, HHS, and ADPH reached an “interim resolution agreement” in March 2023 that required ADPH to prioritize properties in Lowndes County for septic and wastewater management systems based on their risk of exposure to raw sewage.
The program is being implemented by the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program with $3.5 million in federal funds.
Pringle said at a Contract Review committee meeting on Thursday that ADPH had been “put in a very precarious situation by the Justice Department, forcing you to try and do something you’re not really supposed to do.”
“The Department of Health has been forced into this position by the Justice Department. We sent millions of dollars down to Lowndes County years ago, and the money disappeared. It didn’t fix their problems so now the Justice Department is forcing these people into doing something they’re really not supposed to be doing. They’re contracting it out. They’re doing the best they can,” Pringle said during the meeting.
Pringle continued, “Because I’m the person who I am I started googling some of these addresses. The most expensive septic tank system they’ve already installed (is) over $40,000. I googled the address. These people who couldn’t afford a septic system have an outdoor swimming pool in their yard.”
“They can afford a pool but they can’t afford a septic tank. I found that quite interesting. Some of these addresses, they don’t exist. You can google them where they said they put septic tanks in. They’re vacant lots. There’s no building on them. I feel for you. I think this is typical of Lowndes County. I think what you’re seeing is an organization that’s taking care of their friends and family and they’re not really addressing the issues because it doesn’t make any sense what they’re doing down there,” Pringle said.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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